KINGSTON, R.I. - The 2017-18 Rhode Island golf team has earned 18Birdies All-Academic Team accolades, announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Additionally, the Rams were one of just 24 Division I programs nationwide to earn President's Special Recognition, reserved for teams with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better. This marks the first time the Rhody golf program has received either distinction.

"The first thing we talk about with the family of any young man we are recruiting is the priority we place on academics," head coach Gregg Burke said. "That being said, I am extremely proud of our guys for this well-deserved recognition."

In addition to combining for a 3.65 team GPA this past semester, Rhode Island placed third at the Atlantic 10 Championship, marking the team's best finish at the league's tournament since 2008. The Rams also collected a pair of team titles in the spring, winning the Coca-Cola Invitational and sharing top honors at Rhode Island Invitational.

"Capping an impressive spring season was the fact that each and every golfer on our roster was named to Dean's List, for the third semester in a row. Only five times in URI athletics history has any program placed its entire squad on the Dean's List. Three of those honors now belong to the golf program."

Led by All-New England, All-Northeast Region and Atlantic 10 All-Conference performer Dawson Jones, as well as 2018 New England Rookie of the Year Chris Francoeur, the Rams are poised to carry this success into the upcoming season as they had no seniors on the 2017-18 roster.